English Locals Point Toward Next-Generation Broadband

LONDON — Bringing about the next generation of broadband service will involve collaboration and innovation, according to tech experts working on the project in England.

Francesco Caio advises the English government on broadband issues, and he pointed toward a future where a patchwork of local communities would build smaller, more powerful networks that would have to function well with each other in order to survive.

"Building a network has traditionally been associated with big companies but there is going to be a major shift to local communities being the owners of their own networks and picking the service providers they want to go on it," he said.

For example, Virgin Media and British Telecommunications are teaming up to deliver faster broadband speeds to English customers. The speeds range from 50MBps to 100MBps, but the plan will only provide these speeds to about half of all British customers.

But the Broadband Stakeholders' Group, an organization that evaluates such measures, said that to expand next-generation broadband service to the entire country would cost about £29 billion.

Malcolm Corbett, the head of England's Community Broadband Network, noted that British Telecommunications is only planning to spend about 1.5 billion British pounds on its current expansion project.

"If BT can only invest £1.5bn that is going to be a drop in the ocean," he said. "There will be plenty of space for others to do innovative things and there are a lot of people developing projects of their own - and their reasons vary," he said.

The model for this patchwork method of broadband self-sufficiency is starting to pop up in rural areas of England, such as Kent, where 9,000 homes still lack broadband access. A local resident named Daniel Heery plans to use an existing fiber-optic network – and some elbow grease – to move his community into the next decade.

"I am a believer that communities can make a big difference," he said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Reena Sky Launches New Paysite

Reena Sky has launched her new official paysite, ILoveReenaSky.com.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Mymember.site Integrates VR Functionality

Mymember.site has added virtual reality playback capability to its website management platform.

Texas Patti to Launch Fetish Platform 'EmpireDom'

Performer and content creator Texas Patti is launching a new platform for doms and fetish creators, EmpireDom.com.

Ohio AG Threatens Action Against 'Major' Adult Sites Over AV Law

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that his office is sending "notice of violation" letters to 19 adult websites for failure to comply with the state's recently enacted age verification law.

Chaturbate Announces 2025 Music Contest Winners

Chaturbate has revealed the winners of its 2025 music competition.

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Pre-Noms Open With Debut of New 'Impact' Honors

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the pre-nomination period for the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, the adult industry’s premier career honor, begins today and runs through Oct. 14.

Show More